BROAD CREEK — De’Andre Thompkins may be headed to Happy Valley next season, but for now the speedy senior is focused not on his future at Penn State but his present and his final year at Swansboro.

The Nittany Lions can wait.

“During the football season, committing and college are going out of my head,” Thompkins said earlier this week before a 7-on-7 practice session with Croatan. “It’s all about my team and what’s best for my team right now.

“I’m still in high school. I’ve still got to play my high school senior year. Right after senior year I’ll focus on … playing college football. But until then it’s my high school team right now.”

Even had the 17-year-old not committed to Penn State over more than a dozen other suitors earlier this year, Thompkins would have been the focus of every opponent this coming season — as he was a year ago.

Thompkins may wear No. 1, but he knows there’s a big bull’s-eye on his chest as well.

“No doubt teams are going to key on me,” he said. “But the good thing is that my team will be able to shine. Whatever it takes for my team to win; if that’s me being a decoy, then I have no problem doing that.

“As far as the mindset going into this year, it’s keep calm, treat it as if it was any other year, have fun.”

The 6-foot, 170-pound Thompkins is known for his speed — with good reason. He’s run the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds and was third in the NCHSAA 2-A state track championships in the 400 meters with a time of 49.53 seconds.

While playing multiple positions on offense as well as in the secondary on defense, Thompkins rushed for 1,359 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards a carry last season. He also returned a state-best five kickoffs for touchdowns while averaging 50.9 yards per return.

All of which earned him a spot on The Associated Press all-state team and The Daily News all-area team.

With that as a prelude, what are Thompkins’ goals this season? Not what you might think. Asked about that, Thompkins didn’t mention one statistic.

“The goal this year I’d say personally is coming off the field and my dad saying you’ve had the best game I’ve ever seen you play,” he said. “I think all my other goals won’t even compare to that.”

This year will be different for Thompkins — and not because of his commitment to Penn State. The Pirates will be younger at many key positions on offense, which along with the added focus of foes could possibly mean not as many yards for Thompkins.

Still, Thompkins figures to find a way to find some open space on the field and his way into the end zone.

“He’ll be the focus of opponents,” coach Tim Laspada said. “But you still got to tackle him. I mean we’ve got to get the ball in his hands. There’s no secret about it. We know they’re going to be keying on him, and we’ve got to have other kids step up, too. And we’ve got some guys who can do it.”

Another reason this year could be different is, at least for now, Thompkins is slated to spend much of his time at wide receiver, where he’ll play for Penn State. Last year he also played both quarterback and running back on offense.

As a result, Thompkins is working hard to improve his skills as a wideout.

“I’ll be playing a lot of wide receiver now,” he said. “So my focus is perfecting my craft, which is playing wide receiver. That’s where I’m going to play at the next level. So I’m trying to get as solid a base as I can here and then go onto the next level.”

Thompkins is one of at least three area players who are drawing heavy interest from NCAA Division I schools. The others are Northside's Josh Cabrera and Southwest’s J’Veon Walker, who play wide receiver and defensive back as well.

Both have been offered scholarships by UNC, among others.

And while Thompkins has committed, that hasn’t kept schools from contacting him or Laspada. Both said they haven’t been pushy, with Laspada saying the schools were “just checking in” to make sure Thompkins hasn’t changed his mind.

Added Thompkins:

“Most of the schools have stayed away. The schools that have still stayed in contact with me aren’t pushy or judgmental. They’re neutral ground. But they just want to let me know that they’re still there.”

Thompkins said he is firm with his commitment, although unlike some players who are headed to a major football power, Thompkins hasn’t loaded up on Penn State garb.

“As far as running around and letting everybody know I’m a Penn State commitment, not really,” Thompkins said. “I kind of keep it on the low. I don’t really like that much attention. I like to keep to myself. But I still think about it now and then.”